Fight-or-ight response (in humans)

For ght-or-ight response in animals see ghtor-ight response (in animals)

Parasympathetic nervous system

See also: Parasympathetic nervous system

For other uses, see Fight or Flight.

The parasympathetic nervous system originates in the

spinal cord and medulla and works in concert with the
sympathetic nervous system. Its main function is to activate the rest and digest response and return the body to
homeostasis after the ght or ight response. This system
utilizes and activates the release of the neurotransmitter
acetylcholine.[8]

The ght-or-ight response (also called the ght, ight,

freeze, or fawn response [in PTSD], hyperarousal, or
the acute stress response) is a physiological reaction
that occurs in response to a perceived harmful event,
attack, or threat to survival.[1] It was rst described by
Walter Bradford Cannon.[lower-alpha 1][2] His theory states
that animals react to threats with a general discharge
of the sympathetic nervous system, priming the animal
for ghting or eeing.[3] More specically, the adrenal
medulla produces a hormonal cascade that results in the
secretion of catecholamines, especially norepinephrine
and epinephrine.[4] Amit Sood, Professor of Medicine
at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine discusses the classic ght or ight response and states that estrogen and
testosterone are also hormones that aect how we react to stress, as are the neurotransmitters dopamine and
serotonin.[5]

1.2 Reaction

The reaction begins in the amygdala, which triggers a neural response in the hypothalamus. The initial reaction is
followed by activation of the pituitary gland and secretion
of the hormone ACTH.[9] The adrenal gland is activated
almost simultaneously and releases the neurotransmitter
epinephrine. The release of chemical messengers results in the production of the hormone cortisol, which increases blood pressure, blood sugar, and suppresses the
immune system.[10] The initial response and subsequent
This response is recognized as the rst stage of a
reactions are triggered in an eort to create a boost of
general adaptation syndrome that regulates stress reenergy. This boost of energy is activated by epinephrine
sponses among vertebrates and other organisms.[6]
binding to liver cells and the subsequent production of
glucose.[11] Additionally, the circulation of cortisol functions to turn fatty acids into available energy, which pre1 Physiology
pares muscles throughout the body for response.[12] Catecholamine hormones, such as adrenaline (epinephrine)
or noradrenaline (norepinephrine), facilitate immediate
1.1 Autonomic nervous system
physical reactions associated with a preparation for violent muscular action. These include the following:[13]
See also: Autonomic nervous system
Acceleration of heart and lung action

The autonomic nervous system is a control system

that acts largely unconsciously and regulates heart rate,
digestion, respiratory rate, pupillary response, urination,
and sexual arousal. This system is the primary mechanism in control of the ght-or-ight response and its role
is mediated by two dierent components.[7]

Paling or ushing, or alternating between both

Inhibition of stomach and upper-intestinal action to
the point where digestion slows down or stops
General eect on the sphincters of the body

Sympathetic nervous system

Constriction of blood vessels in many parts of the

body

See also: Sympathetic nervous system

Liberation of metabolic energy sources (particularly

fat and glycogen) for muscular action

The sympathetic nervous system originates in the spinal

cord and its main function is to activate the physiological
changes that occur during the ght or ight response. This
component of the autonomic nervous system utilizes and
activates the release of norepinephrine in the reaction.[8]

Dilation of blood vessels for muscles

Inhibition of the lacrimal gland (responsible for tear
production) and salivation
1

3 COGNITIVE COMPONENTS
creased strength and speed in anticipation of ghting or
running. Some of the specic physiological changes and
their functions include:[14][15]
Increased blood ow to the muscles activated by diverting blood ow from other parts of the body.
Increased blood pressure, heart rate, blood sugars,
and fats in order to supply the body with extra energy.
The blood clotting function of the body speeds up in
order to prevent excessive blood loss in the event of
an injury sustained during the response.
Increased muscle tension in order to provide the
body with extra speed and strength.

2 Emotional components
2.1 Emotion regulation
See also: Emotional self-regulation
In the context of the ght or ight response, emotional
regulation is used proactively to avoid threats of stress or
to control the level of emotional arousal.[16][17]

2.2 Emotional reactivity

During the reaction, the intensity of emotion that is
brought on by the stimulus will also determine the nature
and intensity of the behavioral response.[18] Individuals
with higher levels of emotional reactivity may be prone to
anxiety and aggression, which illustrates the implications
of appropriate emotional reaction in the ght or ight
response.[19][20]
The Fight or Flight Response

Dilation of pupil (mydriasis)

Relaxation of bladder
Inhibition of erection
Auditory exclusion (loss of hearing)
Tunnel vision (loss of peripheral vision)
Disinhibition of spinal reexes
Shaking

1.3

Function of physiological changes

3 Cognitive components
3.1 Content specicity
The specic components of cognitions in the ght or ight
response seem to be largely negative. These negative cognitions may be characterized by: attention to negative
stimuli, the perception of ambiguous situations as negative, and the recurrence of recalling negative words.[21]
There also may be specic negative thoughts associated
with emotions commonly seen in the reaction.[22]

3.2 Perception of control

The physiological changes that occur during the ght or Perceived control relates to an individuals thoughts about
ight response are activated in order to give the body in- control over situations and events.[23] Perceived control

3
should be dierentiated from actual control because an Conditions
individuals beliefs about their abilities may not reect
their actual abilities. Therefore, overestimation or under Acute stress reaction
estimation of perceived control can lead to anxiety and
Anxiety
aggression.[24]
Anxiety disorder

3.3

Social information processing

See also: Social information processing (cognition)

The social information processing model proposes a variety of factors that determine behavior in the context of
social situations and preexisting thoughts.[25] The attribution of hostility, especially in ambiguous situations, seems
to be one of the most important cognitive factors associated with the ght or ight response because of its implications towards aggression.[26]

Workplace bullying

Main article: Workplace bullying

The most typical reactions to workplace bullying are to
do with the survival instinct - ght or ight - and these
are probably a victims healthier responses to bullying.
Flight is a legitimate and valid response to bullying. It is
very common, especially in organizations in which upper
management cannot or will not deal with the bullying. In
hard economic times, however, ight may not be an option, and ghting may be the only choice.[27]

Panic attack
Phobia
Social anxiety
Social anxiety disorder

6 Notes
[1] Some references say he rst described the response in
1914 in The American Journal of Physiology. Others in
the 1915 edition of Bodily Changes in Pain, Hunger, Fear
and Rage. Other sources say that he rst used the term
in 1929 or in 1932 edition of the same book. The issue
needs further research.

7 References
[1] Cannon, Walter (1932). Wisdom of the Body. United
States: W.W. Norton & Company. ISBN 0393002055.
[2] Walter Bradford Cannon (1929). Bodily changes in pain,
hunger, fear, and rage. New York: Appleton-CenturyCrofts.

Fighting the bullying can require near heroic action, especially if the bullying targets just one or two individuals.
It can also be a dicult challenge. There are some times
when confrontation is called for. First, there is always a
chance that the bully boss is laboring under the impression that this is the way to get things done and does not
recognize the havoc being wreaked on subordinates.[27]

[3] Jansen, A; Nguyen, X; Karpitsky, V; Mettenleiter, M (27

October 1995). Central Command Neurons of the Sympathetic Nervous System: Basis of the Fight-or-Flight Response. Science Magazine 5236 (270).

[5] Adrenaline, Cortisol, Norepinephrine: The Three Major

Stress Hormones, Explained. Huington Post. April 19,
2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014.

See also
Coping (psychology)
Defense physiology
Emotional dysregulation
Escape distance
The Relaxation Response
Rest and digest
Vasoconstriction
YerkesDodson law

[4] Walter Bradford Cannon (1915). Bodily Changes in Pain,

Hunger, Fear and Rage: An Account of Recent Researches
into the Function of Emotional Excitement. AppletonCentury-Crofts.

[6] Gozhenko, A; Gurkalova, I.P.; Zukow, W; Kwasnik, Z

(2009). PATHOLOGY - Theory. Medical Students Library. Radom. pp. 270275.
[7] Schmidt, A; Thews, G (1989). Autonomic Nervous System. In Janig, W. Human Physiology (2 ed.). New York,
NY: Springer-Verlag. pp. 333370.
[8] Chudler, Eric. Neuroscience For Kids. University of
Washington. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
[9] Margioris, Andrew; Tsatsanis, Christos (April 2011).
ACTH Action on the Adrenal. Endotext.org. Retrieved
18 April 2013.

[10] Padgett, David; Glaser, R (August 2003). How stress

inuences the immune response. Trends in Immunology
24 (8): 444448. doi:10.1016/S1471-4906(03)00173-X.
PMID 12909458.
[11] King, Michael. PATHWAYS: GLYCOGEN & GLUCOSE. Washington University, St. Louis.
[12] HOW CELLS COMMUNICATE DURING THE
FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONSE. University of Utah.
Retrieved 18 April 2013.
[13] Henry Gleitman, Alan J. Fridlund and Daniel Reisberg
(2004). Psychology (6 ed.). W. W. Norton & Company.
ISBN 0-393-97767-6.
[14] Stress Management for Health Course. The Fight Flight
Response. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
[15] Olpin, Michael. The Science of Stress. Weber State
University.
[16] Cistler, Josh; Bunmi O. Olatunji; Matthew T. Feldner;
John P. Forsyth (2010). Emotion Regulation and the
Anxiety Disorders: An Integrative Review. Journal of
Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment 32 (1): 68
82. doi:10.1007/s10862-009-9161-1. PMC 2901125.
PMID 20622981.
[17] Gross, James (1998).
Sharpening the Focus:
Emotion Regulation, Arousal, and Social Competence.
Psychological Inquiry 9 (4): 287290.
doi:10.1207/s15327965pli0904_8.
[18] Avero, Pedro; Calvo, M (1 July 1999). Emotional reactivity to social-evaluative stress: genderdierences in
response systems concordance. Personality and Individual Dierences 27 (1): 155170. doi:10.1016/S01918869(98)00229-3.
[19] Carthy, T; Horesh N; Apter A; Edge MD; Gross JJ (May
2010). Emotional reactivity and cognitive regulation in
anxious children. Behavior Research and Therapy 48 (5):
384393. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2009.12.013.
[20] Valiente, C; Eisenberg N; Smith CL; Reiser M; Fabes
RA; Losoya S; Guthrie IK; Murphy BC (December
2003). The relations of eortful control and reactive
control to childrens externalizing problems: A longitudinal assessment. Personality 71 (6): 11711196.
doi:10.1111/1467-6494.7106011. PMID 14633062.
[21] Reid, Sophie C.; Sophie C. Reid, Karen Salmon, Peter F.
Lovibond (October 2006). Cognitive Biases in Childhood Anxiety, Depression, and Aggression: Are They
Pervasive or Specic?". Cognitive Therapy and Research
30 (5): 531549. doi:10.1007/s10608-006-9077-y.
[22] Beck, Aaron (1979). Cognitive Therapy and the Emotional
Disorders. United States: Penguin Books.
[23] Weems, CF; Silverman, WK (April 2006). An integrative model of control: implications for understanding
emotion regulation and dysregulation in childhood anxiety. Journal of Aective disorders 91 (2): 113124.
doi:10.1016/j.jad.2006.01.009.

8 FURTHER READING

[24] Brendgen, M; Vitaro F; Turgeon L; Poulin F; Wanner

B (June 2004). Is there a dark side of positive illusions? Overestimation of social competence and subsequent adjustment in aggressive and nonaggressive children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology 32 (3):
305320. doi:10.1023/B:JACP.0000026144.08470.cd.
PMID 15228179.
[25] Crick, Nicki; Dodge, Kenneth (January 1994). A review and reformulation of social information-processing
mechanisms in childrens social adjustment. Psychological Bulletin 115 (1): 74101. doi:10.1037/00332909.115.1.74.
[26] Dodge, Kenneth (March 1980). Social cognition and
childrens aggressive behavior. Journal of Child Development 51 (1): 162170. doi:10.2307/1129603.
[27] Robert Killoren (2014) The Toll of Workplace Bullying Research Management Review, Volume 20, Number 1

8 Further reading
Sapolsky, Robert M., 1994. Why Zebras Don't Get
Ulcers. W.H. Freeman and Company.
This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Government document
"http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/
mentalhealth/chapter4/sec2_1.html".

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